Conserving Natural Resources

The Built Green® program supports builders and homeowners using a variety of green building materials that are less or non-toxic, locally produced or sourced, made of natural, recycled or salvaged materials, and resource efficient.

Below are just a few of the many products available today which used in a home construction, can assist with the preservation of our natural resources.

Plastic Lumber - Recycled plastic lumber or plastic/wood composite lumber provide durable alternatives to solid wood for exterior applications such as fences, benches, decking, docks, retaining walls, picnic tables, and landscape borders. Due to its weather-and insect-resistant nature, plastic lumber can readily substitute for treated wood in non-structural applications. Plastic lumber is also rot and corrosion-proof, and will not crack, splinter, or chip. It has a long life expectancy in exposed, sub-grade or marine applications, and does not leach chemicals into ground or surface water or soil as treated wood can.

Engineered Wood - There is a large family of engineered structural products, including laminated veneer lumber (LVL), wood I-beams and I-joists, and wood roof and floor trusses. These products combine efficient raw material use with improved strength and performance capabilities to produce a superior option to traditional materials. Engineered lumber manufacturers use fast-growing, small-diameter trees efficiently. 

Fiber Cement Siding - Fiber-cement composites are resource-efficient, and in addition to durability and low maintenance, offer a very good fire rating when compared to wood or metal siding. The wood fiber in these products is reclaimed from wood processing waste. It can also be harvested from small diameter fast-growing species.

Brick - The process of extracting clay for brick production is fairly benign, and results in very little wasted material. Brick is often used close to its manufacturing site. It has an almost limitless life-span and can be recycled or salvaged for use after demolition. Brick is also a recyclable material that can be crushed and either returned to the manufacturing process, or used as a landscaping material in its crushed form.

Building Materials Recycling - Built Green® builders and remodelers recycle as much as possible of scrap building materials and post a jobsite recycling plan to decrease the amount of materials going to our already overburdened landfills. Building materials such as lumber, wall board, concrete, cardboard, ceiling tiles, paints and packaging can often be recycled. If a remodeler or builder is deconstructing an existing building on the site, many of those materials can also be salvaged or recycled including wood flooring, framing materials, brick, ceramic tile and stone, trim and cabinetry, among others.